A big 'thank you' to Vee017, sassy-satine, Mu-san, Rachel 791, ally127 & Obiwanfan for your very kind reviews! I appreciate them so much!

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Mace Windu and Yoda sat in Mace's living area sipping their tea. "That boy's arrogance is out of control!" Mace put his teacup down a little harder than he intended. It wasn't often Mace allowed his anger to show. But he felt he could let his hair down (no pun intended) with Yoda. He was once Yoda's padawan. They were friends, confidants and fellow leaders of the Council. "He seems to think that Obi-Wan can't cross the street without his help!"

Mace stopped to look at Yoda's placid face. Yoda was obviously going to let him get it out of his system. Mace settled back on the sofa. "I don't like the lack of respect he seems to have for the Order. And I certainly don't like the resentment and the lack of regard he has for Obi-Wan."

"Personally you are taking this."

"Maybe I am. But we know how much Obi-Wan believes in Anakin, how much he trusts him. He trained Anakin well. He put himself completely into it. And this is how Anakin repays him?"

"Like it either, I do not. But somewhat blinded Obi-Wan is to Skywalker's faults."

"I don't know that he's so much blind as hopelessly optimistic. He truly believes that Anakin will learn to master his emotions."

Yoda shook his head sadly. "A time there is when optimism becomes blindness."

Mace leaned forward earnestly. "But he isn't completely blind, Master. He's the one who came to us several times with concerns over Anakin's arrogance and lack of emotional control. We didn't give enough weight to his concerns."

"True that is. Want us to let Anakin go alone to escort Senator Amidala to Naboo, Obi-Wan did not. Mistake it was giving the boy that mission."

"We've all made mistakes where Skywalker is concerned. But we must be wary and watch him closely. I don't trust him." There, Mace had said it. He'd had the feeling for a while, but had kept it to himself.

"Admit I must that Obi-Wan's trust in Anakin, I cannot share."

Mace wasn't exactly comforted that Yoda didn't trust Anakin either. Yoda's wisdom and discernment were beyond compare. And if Yoda didn't trust the boy, that was NOT a good sign. He had a really bad feeling about this.

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Anakin parked his speeder on the small platform outside of Padme's apartment. He strode inside to find it empty. "Padme?" He walked towards the hallway that led to the bedrooms.

"Oh, Master Anakin! It is good to see you!" A very shiny C3PO walked up to him.

"Oh, hi, 3PO. Where's Padme?" Anakin was not in the mood for chit-chat.

"She's in her room, sir." Before he could even finish, Anakin was moving in that direction. Well! His manners are getting worse every time I see him!

He walked into Padme's room to find her folding a shirt and placing it in her suitcase. "Packing for your little trip to the Temple?"

Padme whirled around, hand to her throat. "Anakin! Don't sneak up on me like that!" She noticed the hardness in his eyes. "And yes, I am packing for my stay at the Temple." Her chin went up in determination.

"Why didn't you tell me yourself?"

"If you'll remember Anakin, you were in a hurry to get inside the Temple. I didn't exactly have the chance."

That was true. He had been in a hurry. "It's not like you live far away from the Temple, Padme. Why can't you just go there during the day and stay here at night?"

Padme sighed heavily. "As I reminded Obi-Wan, who was thinking as you are, we don't know what his schedule is going to be from day to day. He's a member of the Council and the lead General for the Republic! He could be called away at moment's notice. It makes sense for me to already be there in case that happens. This is mainly about convenience for ME, Anakin. I don't want to have to trek back and forth constantly." Padme turned back to her packing. "I really don't want to fight about this."

Anakin went over and sat down on the bed. "Neither do I. I've already had it out with Obi-Wan."

Padme whirled around to face her husband. "What?"

Anakin glanced down at folded hands. "When Obi-Wan told me that you were going to be staying there with him, I…blew up. I said some really terrible things to him."

Padme didn't know what to say. A part of her wanted to be angry with Anakin, but she could see the genuine remorse on his features. She decided to just let him continue.

"Obi-Wan didn't lose his temper. But he WAS angry and hurt. He told me to get out of his apartment and not to come back until I could act like a Jedi."

Padme inhaled sharply. She could hardly imagine Obi-Wan saying such a thing. She didn't think she wanted to know the things Anakin must have said to provoke such a response. "And did you go back?"

"Yes, after my meeting with the Council. I apologized and, of course, he forgave me. I don't think I would have forgiven so quickly if I were him." Anakin laughed bitterly. "But then again, if I were him, I wouldn't have acted that way in the first place!" He got up and walked over to the window. "What's wrong with me, Padme? Why can't I control my emotions?"

What in the world am I supposed to say to that? Padme stepped closer to her husband.

Anakin turned away from the window. "Don't worry, I'm not really expecting an answer. If I can't answer it myself, how can I expect anyone else to? I have the training and example of my master, but I find it so hard to put it into practice."

Padme enveloped Anakin in a hug. "Trust in your training, Anakin. Trust in the Order and trust in Obi-Wan. He'll be there for you."

"I know." But why is trust becoming harder and harder for me? Anakin didn't have any answers. He was very glad that he was having breakfast with Chancellor Palpatine in the morning. He always felt better after talking with the Chancellor.

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Padme entered the Temple the next morning. It was early enough that not too many Jedi were out and about yet – most were still sleeping or in morning meditation. Padme looked around in awe as she walked into the main foyer. The architecture was beautiful in its simplicity. The peace and serenity that dwelt within the walls were palpable.

Padme walked at a slow pace, taking in the beautiful carvings and statuary. Her thoughts were slightly troubled. Anakin was having an early morning breakfast with Chancellor Palpatine. Ever since the emergency powers were granted to the Chancellor, he had slowly but surely begun to siphon more power away from the senate and to his office. This was a man she had trusted, who had been one of her key advisors as Queen of Naboo. But Padme didn't trust him anymore.

The disturbing thing for Padme was that Anakin trusted the Chancellor implicitly. He met with Palpatine way too often for her taste. She had tried asking Anakin about it, but he had become so defensive. He was unwilling to hear anything remotely negative about the man who had become his mentor. Mentor, Padme thought with disgust. Anakin had called Palpatine his mentor! So where did that leave Obi-Wan? The man who had raised him, taught him, sacrificed for him?

Anakin had told Padme the night before about his leaving for another mission. She had mixed feelings about that. She was disappointed that she wouldn't have more time with him. But she was also a bit relieved that she would be able to experience the Temple without his presence – without his cynicism. She wanted to see things for herself, not from someone else's perspective. Padme was also glad that she wouldn't have to deal with Anakin's jealousy, which would have undoubtedly surfaced every time he saw her with Obi-Wan and the children.

Padme glanced down at the directions Obi-Wan had given her to his apartment. She was extremely grateful that he had thought of it. The Temple was massive! She had no doubt that she would have gotten lost without them. Padme took in a deep breath as she turned down the hall that led to Obi-Wan's apartment. She suddenly had the feeling that her experience here would change her life forever.

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Obi-Wan was just finishing his shower when he sensed Padme coming. Oh, no! She's early! He hopped out of the shower and threw a towel around his waist. He raced to the front door and opened it to see Padme with her hand poised to hit the buzzer.

Obi-Wan pulled Padme into the apartment before anyone could see him and get the wrong idea. He flushed a bit as she gaped at him. "Um, forgive my lack of attire. I sensed you coming and I didn't want you to use the door buzzer." He spoke quietly and gestured down the hall. "The children didn't sleep very well last night. They're finally resting peacefully and I'd like for them to sleep in as long as they need."

Padme wanted to reply, but couldn't seem to find her voice. The sight of the soaking wet Jedi Master, clad in nothing but a towel – a towel that he held together with his hand at his hip – was enough to rivet her in place and render her speechless. Padme nodded her acknowledgement.

Obi-Wan pushed his dripping hair back with his free hand and gave Padme a lopsided smile. "I'm, uh, going to go finish getting ready. Please make yourself at home."

Padme watched his retreating form, mesmerized. She'd never seen Obi-Wan out of his full Jedi attire. She hadn't really thought much about what was underneath his Jedi robe and tunics, but she wasn't expecting him to be so…beautiful. Padme had never used that word to describe a man before, but it fit. Obi-Wan was beautiful.

Padme went over the now-ingrained image in her mind. He was slender, but obviously strong. One attribute that had definitely gotten her attention was his chest. He had hair on his well-formed chest. Padme had no idea how attractive and masculine that characteristic would be. Anakin's chest was as smooth and hairless as a baby's bottom. That struck her now as being the chest of a boy. Obi-Wan's…now that was the chest of a man!

Padme, for Heaven's sake! You're a married woman! Padme breathed deep, willing her liquefied insides to solidify again. She wasn't expecting to see Obi-Wan like that. And she certainly wasn't expecting to react to him the way she did! She fervently thanked the Force, yet again, for her mental shielding. Padme went into the kitchen and grabbed the hand towel. She dabbed at the soaking wet spot on the carpet where Obi-Wan had stood. Her thoughts turned to the towel he had held around his waist. Just one slip of the hand…

Padme quickly got up and balled the damp towel in frustration. Geez, Padme! Get a grip! She walked over to the door to the balcony. Her heated skin needed some cool air. She stepped out and was grateful to find a breeze. She wrung out the towel and laid it out on the wall. Padme knew she had better reign in her thoughts and strengthen her shielding. She took deep, steadying breaths as she watched the morning traffic. She was now quite glad Anakin was occupied elsewhere. If he had been here and sensed my reaction… Padme shivered at the thought. Her eyes widened as a realization struck her. I'm scared of my husband's anger! When did this happen? And what does it mean for our future?